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November 26, 2012

Looks like the DoubleTap "Titanium Tactical Pocket Pistol", a slimline 2-shot 9mm Parabellum/.45 ACP derringer marketed by DoubleTap Defense, LLC, will now be made down in the gunshine state (Florida) by Azimuth Technology, LLC. "Our industry has been very supportive of the DoubleTap project and we are ultimately grateful. Out of all the responses we received, it became very clear that Azimuth Technology was the perfect fit in corporate philosophy, facility capability and plain, old-fashioned, roll-up-your-sleeves determination to bring this product to market in a timely fashion," says inventor and DoubleTap Defense founder Ray Kohout.

Judging by the slide-show at the Azimuth Technology website, the new manufacturer's Naples, Florida manufacturing facility looks pretty impressive, with LOTS of what appear to be new, state-of-the-art CNC machines.

The DoubleTap Derringer looks interesting, and it's actually available with either a titanium or aluminum frame. The aluminum frame is 2 ounces lighter and over $200 less expensive. However, in a pocket pistol, lighter is only better up to a point. You'll have to decide for yourself wether the 14-ounce titanium-framed version is too heavy for your pocket and/or too expensive for your pocketbook. If the answer is "no", to both, DR would probably opt for the titanium version since those two ounces of extra weight probably aid controllability.

Plus, there's always the titanium cool factor in that you'll know your pistol has a titanium frame and you can tell your friends about it. The titanium frame will most likely also prove more durable than the aluminum one, particularly in the .45 ACP-caliber version.

The DoubleTap derringer is an interesing-looking pistol (especially the ported version), but while the ports will aid controllability by lessening muzzle flip, and durability/longevity by reducing stress on the pistol, itself, DefenseReview (DR) doesn't own any pistols with ports, nor do we really like them for a carry gun, particularly one that will most likely have to be deployed in extremely close quarters, perhaps even from inside a car, if it ever is, God forbid. So, DR's instinct would be to go with the non-ported titanium version, assuming we didn't mind the extra 2 oz. in our pocket. 14 oz. total weight shouldn't be a problem.

Defense Review also isn't sure that we'd opt to carry a 2-shot .45 ACP/.9mm derringer instead of a 9mm semi-auto, single-stack sub-compact pistol like a Kel-Tec PF-9 or Ruger LC9, for example. The PF-9 and LC9 both hold 7+1 rounds, and the PF-9 weighs only 12.7 oz. (360g) dry. Both pistols should fit in your pocket, although the LC9 is heavier at 17.10-17.60 oz, depending on which version you get. DR hasn't run the Kel-Tec PF-9 or the Ruger LC9, yet, but if they have good trigger actions and are reliable, accurate and durable, the derringer would be a tough sell. And, frankly, who knows whether or not the derringer's trigger's any good.

If you're looking for a cool derringer, though, the DoubleTap's probably pretty hard to beat.

The following information comes from the DoubleTap Defense website:

"THE TITANIUM TACTICAL POCKET PISTOL

The first concealed carry .45 ACP born from aerospace technology and 100% USA made. The future of concealed carry firepower is now in your hands!

DoubleTap Firearms has developed the world's smallest and lightest .45 ACP concealed carry pistol on the market today. Also available in 9mm.

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.